* A pulmonary function test is performed on the day of your visit in order to diagnose and treat chronic airway disease.
* We increase patient satisfaction and continuously manage their overall respiratory health with the help of our medical staff and dedicated nurses by educating the patients on chronic airway diseases.
* We offer respiratory rehabilitation programs and drug treatment in cooperation with specialists.
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bronchial tube. According to the 2008 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this disease affects 13.4% of the Korean population, but only 5% of them are treated in hospitals. This disease is one of the top 10 mortality rates in Korea.
Symptoms
COPD does not necessarily have early symptoms. One of its common early symptoms is chronic cough, which occurs intermittently at first, but gradually changes to a continuous cough. Sputum is sticky, low in volume, and discharged with cough in the morning. Difficulty in breathing often occurs when the condition is exacerbated. It becomes worse during exercise and when the patient has an infection, such as a cold.
Diagnosis
A person, who smokes or has a history of smoking in the past, can be diagnosed with a pulmonary function test if he/she exhibits symptoms of COPD, such as coughing, sputum, and breathing difficulties. COPD is diagnosed when the air volume exhaled for 1 second is less than 70%, as compared to the inhaled air volume.
Treatment
Inhalers that act directly on the bronchus are the most effective and have fewer side effects. There are two types of inhalers that can introduce the medicine through inhalation, namely, powder suction type and powder spray type. Daily treatment is necessary for the inflammation of the bronchial tubes, including intake of high blood pressure medication, even without any symptoms.
2. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease caused by the sensitization of the bronchus, which is the airway passage for inhalation and exhalation. It is estimated that 5-10% of the population are asthma patients, with 1 out of 8 elderly people suffering from asthma.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Pulmonary function test is used to diagnose asthma, which is usually accompanied by respiratory symptoms, such as repetitive wheezing, difficulty in breathing, tightness of the chest, and coughing. Respiratory symptoms may worsen at night or may be triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise. Asthma can also be made worse by a viral infection.
Treatment
Asthma treatments include inhalers and oral medications. Inhalers are directly delivered to the bronchus, thus resulting in faster relief with less systemic adverse effects. Therapeutic drugs include asthma controller and reliever. Asthma controllers must be used steadily in order to control the symptoms and to maintain the patient's normal activities. They help in improving the chronic inflammation of the bronchus.
Asthma relievers are used as an emergency medication and should only be used when the asthma symptoms suddenly get worse.
Prevention of Asthma Exacerbation
Asthma exacerbations can be caused by a variety of risk factors called "triggering factors", including allergens, cold, secondhand smoke, occupational substances, food additives, and drugs. In Korea, the most common allergens that can cause asthma are dust mites, pollen, mold, animal epithelium and fur, and cockroaches.
